Third attempt to remove 'The Color Purple' in works

Tuesday

Dec 17, 2013 at 5:16 PM

Brunswick County Commissioner Pat Sykes lodged an official complaint about the book to the school on Dec. 1.

By Pressley BairdPressley.Baird@StarNewsOnline.com

A second attempt to get "The Color Purple" removed from Brunswick County Schools has been denied, and a third challenge is already on its way, the school district announced Tuesday.Brunswick County Commissioner Pat Sykes lodged an official complaint about the book to the school on Dec. 1. But officials there decided to keep the book in classes and in school libraries. Such challenges can be appealed to the superintendent and the school board. Superintendent Edward Pruden also decided that the novel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning book that explores issues of racism, sexual assault and violence against women, could also stay in classes. Sykes immediately challenged that finding. The school board will review her appeal in a special called meeting on Jan. 3. In her complaint, Sykes said she objected to "the immorality, the filth, the F word and the N word." The complaint says she only read parts of the book, through "pages attached, plus summary and CliffNotes."The book is on 11th-grade advanced placement English reading lists, but the district has a policy allowing students or parents who don't agree with a book's content to request alternate reading material. After parents complained about "The Color Purple," the school board heard public comments about the book at its November meeting then held another meeting discussing district policies about parental challenges to the curriculum.